Quilled Tin Furniture

I'm slipping in an extra post today because I had an interesting email from reader, Mary Anne Enriquez, who often shares cool finds with me.

After yesterday's post about aluminum can quilling, Mary Anne, who creates all sorts of artistic things from recycled goods, thought quillers who enjoy making 3-D objects might be interested in hearing about quilling that was done with tin cans, back in the days of the Great Depression.

Mary Anne says, "It's just about the best example of tin can art I have ever seen. Rocking chairs and round tables are very common, but this set has such quality and craftsmanship with the unique nursery pieces, doilies, bows, and pretty pink fabric."

I wish we knew who made the pieces in order to give credit.

One thing is for certain - with the advent of aluminum cans, the technique of quilling with metal became easier on the hands!

Mary Anne has a craft book from the 70s that shows how to make furniture similar to this, and says that there are still a lot of vintage scrolled furniture and frames available from places like Etsy and eBay, as well as flea markets and auctions... because... you know how it is.... if you're into collecting, Mary Anne and I may have just started you down a new path - sorry!

I found this example while searching for information on a vintage tin can Christmas Tree I picked up 10 years ago. It is a beautiful example of the quilling. My table top tree stands just over 17 inches and is made from at least 7 different sizes of cans. I have searched high & low for another like it. I would love to learn more about the art, are then any sites out there?

Elizabeth, not that I know of, but did you also see this post? http://www.allthingspaper.net/2011/05/quilled-aluminum.html You might contact Carol via her Etsy shop. She might know more about the tree you have. I would love to see a picture of it if you'd like to email one to me. ann.b.martin at gmail.com